Coach’s Corner

From millions of contestants ranging from bizarre and ridiculous to sad and pathetic, from almost but not quite to really, really good, we are down to the Final Four. The NCAA Tournament, fondly referred to as March Madness had four thoroughbreds in the Final Four this year… Kansas, UCLA, Memphis and UNC. All four were number 1 seeds and had been at or near the top of the heap all season long. But that was the first time in history it ever happened. Part of the magic of March Madness is that underdogs appear out of nowhere and take down the mighty Goliath. Most people love to see the upsets in those early rounds. But by the time you get to the Final Four, most want to see legitimate contenders slugging it out for the championship. It would be great to see that in AI too, but it won’t be this year. There are really only two contenders still standing… no David and Goliath…but a David and David. The other two are really place holders, JC and Syesha. They have outlasted other more deserving contenders, but they won’t make it past either of the Davids. Which is kind of sad…because like the NCAA Tournament, it would be great to get to the Final Four with it being a toss up among them all. I always enjoy the journey to get here, but this is not the best Final Four possible. Still, there may a surprise or two, I’m just not betting on it.

Rock ‘n Roll night should give us a lot more to enjoy than most of the rounds this year. The bench of songs is deep and surely there will be be some fun tonight. I know it’s wishful thinking, but I’m an optimist.

I’ll have more to say as the competition heats up tonight… Alright, I’m a little behind on tape delay again, but it’s live for me, so here we go.

• David Cook - Hungry Like a Wolf from Duran Duran should be a really good song for DC. Gotta say that it just seems a little weird to see him without his guitar…almost like he’s missing a limb or something. Still easily the best left, but not his best. But it was fun and had energy, something that has been missing most of this season.
• Syesha Mercado - Mercado has been the best performer for the last few weeks except for DC, but she just can’t get off the bottom. She’s survived, but she’s almost done. I think she’s capable of doing a knock-out performance with Proud Mary. WOW! She is really showing some personality. If she had done this all season, she might have a chance at winning, but it’s a little too late. A few minor vocal miscues, but overall all it was really fun!
• Jason Castro - I Shot the Sheriff is the song of choice for the traveling minstrel. Totally unbelievable. Come on dude…you can’t even shoot a firecracker, much less a sheriff. Part of making a song good is making it believable. Not buying it.
• David Archuleta - Stand By Me is in the Archuleta wheelhouse so he should do really well with it. When he’s in this genre he shines… his lightbulb just doesn’t seem to come on with anything else. As expected, this is a very good version of the song, and will protect his Final Two status.
• David Cook #2 - Singing a Who song I don’t really know, but that usually turns out to be pretty good. The gunslinger has his weapon of choice on his hip again and it looks way more natural. I think he performs better with it. He showed a lot of variety and range which is what sets him apart and will make him the winner.
• Mercado #2 - Sam Cooke’s A Change Has Gotta Come could be a very good choice for her with a lot of soul and power. It will be a completely different vibe from Proud Mary, which could help her reach some crossover voters. She’s showing the vocals she showed way back at the start of this competition, but with more conviction than she had back then. She’s really improved.
• JC #2 - Bob Dylan and Mr Tambourine Man…don’t think so. Dylan was quirky which should make JC comfortable, but JC is no Dylan. And it doesn’t help when you forget half a verse of lyrics. I can’t believe JC has lasted this long, but if he survives ahead of the other three this week, people need to lose their phones permanently and purchase hearing aids.
• DA #2 - Love Me Tender should be another good song for DA, although his tones will not sound anything like Elvis. Pretty cool arrangement, makes it almost sound modern. With the way this one is put together, you don’t even hear Elvis in it. Kudos to DA for this one. Actually a very good closer.

FINAL FOUR FINAL ANALYSIS

The Davids did nothing to hurt themselves tonight.  They continue to be the frontrunners with David C still holding the top spot.  Mercado has been steadily improving over the last several weeks and has really shown some chops but I don’t think there’s anyway for her to push past either of the Davids.

JC was atrocious.  His stuff has been just awful for weeks, but he has somehow managed to survive.  With only three other contestants, I don’t know how in the world he can overcome the disaster that he was tonight.  Easily the one that should be headed home…but then again, that’s been the case for weeks now.

From millions of contestants ranging from bizarre and ridiculous to sad and pathetic, from almost but not quite to really, really good, we are down to the Final Four. The NCAA Tournament, fondly referred to as March Madness had four thoroughbreds in the Final Four this year… Kansas, UCLA, Memphis and UNC. All [...]

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From millions of contestants ranging from bizarre and ridiculous to sad and pathetic, from almost but not quite to really, really good, we are down to the Final Four. The NCAA Tournament, fondly referred to as March Madness had four thoroughbreds in the Final Four this year… Kansas, UCLA, Memphis and UNC. All [...]

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Sadly, this week’s round will be minus my favorite…Brooke.  I can’t say that I thought she should win…I just really liked her.  And I also thought (and still think) that Brooke can have a real future in the music industry.  She offers something so few performers really do…genuineness and sincerity.  I said weeks ago that I think she could potentially be a bit like Alicia Keyes in building a career… a slow build from a pianist singing really good music to a more fully formed entertainer.  I’m hoping it will happen and think it can if someone will get behind her.

Now onto this week’s contenders.  The Final Four give their take on the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Fame music.  I’m not exactly sure what that means other than we should have a second consecutive week of fun music.  As much as I enjoy AI, this year’s musical selections have been underwhelming, bordering on boring.  If there’s one thing that AI has proven over several years, it is that the contenders will default to ballads more than not.  Unless they are given wide berth with lots of high energy music to pick from, they will more times than not choose the same-o same-o…. which after a while becomes lame-o lame-o.  But the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame should spare us from more of that.  So where do our contenders stand going into this round?  Let’s take a look.

1. David Cook - No change in any of this week’s rankings actually.  They are all still in the same spots.  Cook is the odds-on favorite to win.  I just don’t see anyone beating him at this point…but then again, we were all stunned when Duaghtry hit the mat a couple of years ago.
2. David Archuleta - I like this kid, but he has become boring.  He’s got some growing up to do… life experience should improve his music.
3. Jason Casro - If he has survived the last two weeks after absolutely horrible performances, he’s sticking until the final three.
4. Syesha Mercado - Mercado is singing better than everyone but Cook right now…but the other two guys have shown more staying power.  It’s the end of the road for Syesha.

I could wind up being surprised if Mercado outlasts JC, but I don’t see either of them with a spot in the final two.  It’s a dog fight between Cook and Archuleta to see if speed dialers will beat out talent dialers.

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Sadly, this week’s round will be minus my favorite…Brooke.  I can’t say that I thought she should win…I just really liked her.  And I also thought (and still think) that Brooke can have a real future in the music industry.  She offers something so few performers really do…genuineness and sincerity.  I said weeks ago that I think she could potentially be a bit like Alicia Keyes in building a career… a slow build from a pianist singing really good music to a more fully formed entertainer.  I’m hoping it will happen and think it can if someone will get behind her.

Now onto this week’s contenders.  The Final Four give their take on the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Fame music.  I’m not exactly sure what that means other than we should have a second consecutive week of fun music.  As much as I enjoy AI, this year’s musical selections have been underwhelming, bordering on boring.  If there’s one thing that AI has proven over several years, it is that the contenders will default to ballads more than not.  Unless they are given wide berth with lots of high energy music to pick from, they will more times than not choose the same-o same-o…. which after a while becomes lame-o lame-o.  But the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame should spare us from more of that.  So where do our contenders stand going into this round?  Let’s take a look.

1. David Cook - No change in any of this week’s rankings actually.  They are all still in the same spots.  Cook is the odds-on favorite to win.  I just don’t see anyone beating him at this point…but then again, we were all stunned when Duaghtry hit the mat a couple of years ago.
2. David Archuleta - I like this kid, but he has become boring.  He’s got some growing up to do… life experience should improve his music.
3. Jason Casro - If he has survived the last two weeks after absolutely horrible performances, he’s sticking until the final three.
4. Syesha Mercado - Mercado is singing better than everyone but Cook right now…but the other two guys have shown more staying power.  It’s the end of the road for Syesha.

I could wind up being surprised if Mercado outlasts JC, but I don’t see either of them with a spot in the final two.  It’s a dog fight between Cook and Archuleta to see if speed dialers will beat out talent dialers.

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